Neighbourhood Watch caught man red-handed

A man acting suspiciously in a housing estate was detained by members of a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme before gardai arrived, a court heard.

Eoin Jarvis (25) was sentenced to two months in prison for trespassing, while a number of other offences were taken into consideration.

Last July 14, Jarvis was in Manorfields Drive estate in Clonee at around 10pm when he was detained by members of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme as he was attempting to interfere with a car.

When gardai arrived he was found in possession of items including a torch, vice-grips and a multi-tool.

On a previous occasion, last April, Jarvis - who has 51 previous convictions - was caught trespassing in a garden in the early hours of the morning on the Navan Road in Cabra, when a rear fly window of a car parked in a driveway was damaged.

A month later, he was caught trespassing at a property in Talbot Downs, Castleknock, in possession of a screwdriver.

A neighbour confronted him and a struggle ensued but he was arrested a short time later by gardai.

Drugs

Jarvis, of Corduff Grove, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to attempting to interfere with a vehicle and to being in poss- ession of the torch, vice-grips and multi-tool at Manorfields Drive on July 14.

He further admitted trespass and being in possession of a screwdriver at Talbot Downs on May 11, and pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a fly window of a car and to trespass at a premise on the Navan Road, Cabra, on April 14.

His defence solicitor said Jarvis has had a history with drink and drugs since the age of 15.

"He has made efforts in the past to address his addiction and was going through a bad patch when he committed these offences," the solicitor said, adding that Jarvis is "somebody who is led on".

"On some occasions he was with another male," he added.

The solicitor said Jarvis is taking steps to deal with his addiction.

Judge Grainne O'Neill said the offences were "serious" and that she could not ignore his previous offending.

She convicted and sentenced him to two months in prison for the offence at Talbot Downs and took the rest of the charges into consideration.